Poetry · Chapter
A Split Century explained
A poetic parody of Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade,' this chapter uses baseball imagery to depict a tense at-bat where the batter, Zim, silently takes a called third strike, splitting the century and highlighting themes of stoic
What happens
A poetic parody of Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade,' this chapter uses baseball imagery to depict a tense at-bat where the batter, Zim, silently takes a called third strike, splitting the century and highlighting themes of stoicism and miscommunication.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Satire
The chapter parodies a famous war poem to comically exaggerate the drama of a baseball strikeout.
Work and Profession
The umpire's decisive call and the batter's silent acceptance highlight the professional roles and pressures in baseball.
Characters to notice
- Heine
The batter who silently takes a called third strike, embodying stoic discipline.
- Dollar Bill
The umpire who calls the strike, representing authority and judgment.
Key passages
“Half a C , half a C , Half a C , sundered, Cut from the other half, Half a big hundred.”
The century is split in two, with one half representing the batter's silent acceptance and the other the umpire's call.
The opening lines establish the central metaphor of a divided century.
“Forward the Cub Brigade! “Charge at the umps!” they said, But Zim in silence stood.”
The Cubs players urge an aggressive confrontation with the umpire, but the batter remains still and quiet.
Contrasts the team's aggressive impulse with the batter's composed restraint.
“Past the Great Zim the pill Whistled. “Strike three,” said Bill, And the Great Heine knew William had blundered;”
The pitch whizzes by Zim, the umpire calls it a strike, and Heine realizes the call was mistaken.
Highlights the perceived error in the umpire's decision and the batter's silent acceptance.